Best things to do this weekend in Dallas County: Fiber Festival, Safety Bike Rodeo

4-7 p.m. Friday, May 12 at Perry businesses.

Enjoy an after hours shopping experience at Perry businesses from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, May 12. Shop spring and summer apparel, gifts, décor and more. Participating businesses include Atelier at 1109, Backwards Boutique, Ben's Five and Dime, Betsy Peterson Designs, Blonde Sisters Boutique, Harper Rose's Floral and Gifts, Mary Rose Collection, Perry Perk, Purple Star Studio, Salvaged Soul and The Scottish Fox. Refreshments and in-store offerings vary per location.

7-11 a.m. Saturday, May 13 at Waukee Public Safety Building.

Come to the Waukee Public Safety Building for pancakes, fire safety activities and a live burning of the fire sprinkler trailer on Saturday, May 13. Remember to bring $5 for pancakes and non-perishable food items for the local food pantry.

8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday, May 13 at City Maintenance Building (behind Casey's), 700 Debra Dr., Van Meter.

The Van Meter Parks and Rec Department will host its annual plant sale on Saturday, May 13. The event will feature a variety of hanging baskets, porch pots, accent plants and bedding plants. There will not be pre-orders this year, just shop and carry. While you're out and about, be sure to wander around town and check out the garage sales throughout the city.

9-11 a.m. Saturday, May 13 at Adel City Hall parking lot, 301 S 10th St., Adel.

Children ages 5-12 are invited to bring their bicycles and helmets to participate in the 4th Annual Safety Bike Rodeo. This come-and-go event is free and offers interactive activities for children, free giveaways and a drawing for prizes. Bikes will be inspected and helmets checked for fit before children receive safety instruction and ride through the course. Children completing the safety course will receive a certificate of completion, bike safety information, a Rotary flyer and a bottle of water. Other activities will include tours of a police car and a fire engine and the opportunity to visit with an Adel Police Officer and Adel Firefighters.

10-11 a.m. Saturday, May 13 at Kuehn Conservation Area, 32828 Houston Trail, Earlham.

Celebrate the moms of nature! Join Naturalist Erica for a hike and show some love for Mother Nature herself. Register to be notified of weather cancelation through the DCCB Eventbrite page.

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday, May 13 at Adel and Perry businesses.

Let's combine 2 communities and 4 businesses for a dynamite shopping experience! No need to purchase a ticket, just grab the girls and come support small businesses in Adel and Perry. Participating businesses include Azalea Lane Boutique and Real Deals in Adel, Blonde Sisters Boutique and Backwards Boutique in Perry. Make a purchase at each of the four small businesses to get entered into the grand prize basket valued at $300.

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday, May 13 at Hotel Pattee, Soumas Court, La Poste, Perry.

Get ready for Atelier at 1109's Fiber Festival of Perry and explore the fiber art world from start to finish. Visit the Hotel Pattee, Soumas Court and La Poste for a selection of local vendors that will have yarns, spinning wheels, drop spindles, woven and knit goods, fiber arts supplies and so much more for sale. View stunning quilts and learn from the talented members of the Perry Piecemakers Quilt Guild in the Spring Valley Ballroom. A spinning and crafting circle will be available, so attendees can bring their spinning wheel, drop spindle, WIP, or finished project to show off or work on. Classes and demonstrations will also be available all day. Atelier at 1109 artists have created a yarn bomb display located at 1109 2nd St. and Soumas Court in downtown Perry - PLUS view lightposts decorated in new handknit wrappings.

12-4 p.m. Saturday, May 13 at Dallas Center-Grimes High School back parking lot.

Come out and support the Dallas Center-Grimes FFA Chapter through its annual car show on Saturday, May 13. To submit entries, scan the QR code through the Dallas Center-Grimes FFA Car Show event page or fill out a day-of entry form. All proceeds benefit the Dallas Center-Grimes FFA Chapter.

4:30-5:30 p.m. Monday, May 15 at Carnegie Library Museum, Perry.

Join the Carnegie Library Museum for French style Tea and Conversation on Monday, May 15. Tickets ($15) are required and can be purchased at the Carnegie Library Museum or the Perry Public Library. Tickets are not available online.

8:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 20 at Crossroads Church, Perry.

Crossroads Church will host a mobile food pantry from 8:30-10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 20.

8:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 20 at Kuehn Conservation Area, 32828 Houston Trail, Earlham.

DCCB is offering seasonal bird hikes as part of the Beginner to Birder Project, meant to nurture new birders or those who want to ramp up their skills. The diversity will increase each month as new birds arrive. Binoculars and books will be provided. Registration required through the DCCB Eventbrite page.

2-4 p.m. Sunday, May 21 at Kuehn Conservation Area, 32828 Houston Trail, Earlham.

Watch the Meskwaki Youth Dance & Drum group share traditional dances and shared songs as they interpret their place in the Meskwaki culture. Form new relations by joining in the dance! Register to be notified of weather cancelation through the DCCB Eventbrite page.

To submit events to be included in the Around the County or Happenings in and around Perry round-ups, email [email protected] or [email protected].